System and method for providing short message targeted advertisements over a wireless communications network

Abstract

A method and system for providing targeted advertisement information to consumers over a wireless communications network. In one embodiment, local advertisers register to advertise on wireless communications devices that are in close proximity to the advertiser. As a consumer enters a cell site that is near the location of the advertiser, the wireless network delivers a message to the wireless device specified by the local advertiser. An acknowledgement signal is then received by the network, and the local advertiser's account is charged for transmission of the advertisement. In a further embodiment, each of the messages stored in the database is also associated with one or more demographic codes, and users of wireless communications device select from one more demographic codes to describe their advertisement preferences. Messages to be transmitted to particular wireless communications devices are selected based upon both the location information and the demographic codes associated with the messages.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for transmitting a message to a wireless communications device, the method comprising:
 detecting, by a system comprising a processor, a presence of the wireless communications device within a location; 
 selecting, by the system, a message to be transmitted to devices within the location, the message comprising information relevant to the location; 
 transmitting, by the system, the message to the wireless communications device when the wireless communications device is detected within the location; 
 receiving, by the system, an acknowledgement from the wireless communications device of receipt of the message; and 
 storing, by the system, a confirmation of delivery of the message in response to receiving the acknowledgement. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the location comprises an identification corresponding to a cellular region. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising updating a history log to charge an advertiser associated with the message based on receipt of the acknowledgement. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining whether the wireless communications device is associated with a request to block all messages similar to the message from being transmitted to the wireless communications device. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein selecting the message to be transmitted to devices within the location further comprises determining that a parameter associated with the message correspond to a parameter associated with transmission of the message to the wireless communications device when the wireless communications device is detected within the location. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the parameter associated with the message comprises a number of times the message can be transmitted within an interval of time. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising prior to transmitting the message, determining whether the wireless communications device has previously received the message. 
     
     
       8. A method for transmitting a message to a wireless communications device, the method comprising:
 detecting, by a system, a presence of the wireless communications device within a location; 
 selecting, by the system, a message to be transmitted to devices within the location, the message comprising information relevant to the location; 
 determining, by the system, whether transmission of the message to the wireless communications device is within a number of times the message can be transmitted within an interval of time; and 
 in response to determining that transmission of the message to the wireless communications device is within the number of times the message can be transmitted within the interval of time, transmitting, by the system, the message to the wireless communications device when the wireless communications device is within the location. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 determining whether a demographic code associated with the message matches a demographic code associated with the wireless communications device; and 
 in response to determining that the demographic code associated with the message matches the demographic code associated with the wireless communications device and that transmission of the message to the wireless communications device is within the number of times the message can be transmitted within the interval of time, transmitting the message to the wireless communications device when the wireless communications device is within the location. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising updating a history log to charge an advertiser associated with the message. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising determining whether the wireless communications device is associated with a request to block all messages similar to the message from being to the wireless communications device. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising prior to transmitting the message, determining whether the wireless communications device has previously received the message. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 determining whether an acknowledgement is received from the wireless communications device indicating receipt of the message; 
 in response to determining that the acknowledgement is received, storing a confirmation of delivery of the message; and 
 in response to determining that the acknowledgement is not received, storing a failed delivery indicator. 
 
     
     
       14. A system for transmitting a message to a wireless communications device, the system comprising:
 a processor; and 
 memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising
 detecting a presence of the wireless communications device within a location, 
 selecting a message to be transmitted to devices within the location, the message comprising information relevant to the location, 
 transmitting the message to the wireless communications device when the wireless communications device is detected within the location, 
 
 receiving an acknowledgement from the wireless communications device of receipt of the message, and 
 storing a confirmation of delivery of the message in response to receiving the acknowledgement. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the location comprises an identification corresponding to a cellular region. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 14 , further comprising updating a history log to charge an advertiser associated with the message based on receipt of the acknowledgement. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the operations further comprise determining whether the wireless communications device is associated with a request to block all messages similar to the message from being transmitted to the wireless communications device. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 14 , wherein selecting the message to be transmitted to devices within the location further comprises determining that a parameter associated with the message corresponds to a parameter associated with transmission of the message to the wireless communications device when the wireless communications device is detected within the location. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18 , wherein the parameter associated with the message comprises a number of times the message can be transmitted within an interval of time. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the operations further comprise prior to transmitting the message, determining whether the wireless communications device has previously received the message.